Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

[Evilution]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

as for boycotting events cause brooklands hasnt happened this year is cutting off your nose to spite your face i am afraid

No one has said they are going to boycott events.
I have 2 hopes.
Firstly I hope that the people who actually decide where Smart Times is being held change the decision they made years ago and it doesn't come to the UK.
Secondly I hope that the Royal Mail doesn't get privatised, but that's another story.

I agree that Portugal is too far away though. The ideal venue is central, not on the edge of a country overlooking the sea.

It'll be interesting to see the carnage at Brighton. On one hand you have a rich heritage of car meets, on the other hand you have the Green Party in power doing everything in their power to limit the amount of traffic and visitors to the area by reducing parking spaces and increasing parking charges. Last year, over night, parking on Madeira Drive went up from £4 to £20.

The "powers that be" in the UK are generally anti car and they are trying their best to price us off the road. In the rest of Europe, that just isn't the case.
That's why big UK meets really need to be on private land.

[Evilution]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

And let's be honest, if you have to book time off work to attend, you'd rather not have to waste holiday days going to Brighton.

[ManM]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

That's why big UK meets really need to be on private land.

Who says it couldn't/wouldn't be - for goodness sake - we haven't won the bl*ddy competition yet - but I hope we do, just to prove doubters like you wrong.

I expect you, when asked to fill in the questionnaire, were one of the people who said smartfest was a waste of time then moaned when it wasn't held this year. Moan moan moan - just get a life!!!

I'll get my coat but will be in Brighton - if we win and at Lucerne unlike some who voice much on this site!

Jenny

[putzie]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

No one has said they are going to boycott events.

am sure you mentioned boycotting the smart festival if they held it in 2014 in protest over it not being held in 2013

[Evilution]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

I expect you, when asked to fill in the questionnaire, were one of the people who said smartfest was a waste of time then moaned when it wasn't held this year. Moan moan moan - just get a life!!!

You expect wrong Jenny, we trade there every year and do alright so what's to complain about.
Jeez, if I had a life or an interest in getting one I wouldn't have made a website helping others, I'd have said "screw everyone, I'm too busy going out with all my hoes".

I never said it wasn't going to be held on private land, I was merely stating it needs to be.

You need to think bigger. I'm not sure what part you actually disagree with. 1 smart festival in Brooklands (as it's not a waste of time) and 1 Smart Times somewhere nice (outside the UK). More quality and quantity.

We aren't all the same, It's ok for your every day smart owner but Switzerland makes no sense for a trader. They have a strict non car modifying law and a ridiculous system of taxes before and after leaving the country.

[Evilution]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

am sure you mentioned boycotting the smart festival if they held it in 2014 in protest over it not being held in 2013

Nope.

#voteVienna

[OrangeDave]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

If smartimes is in the UK, August time, then there's a chance to book a holiday in the roadie in Ireland

A perfect plan for us

Anyone else fancy Ireland

Jenny

You might be on to something there poppet

Maybe even take in a festival while we're over there as there is a lot going on there at this time of year.

[smartsparky]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

I must admit, before the announcement was made on Friday, I was very much against the UK hosting smarttimes. I remember watching the big screen on the seafront at Riccione (2011) and hoping that it didn't come our way. Last year's smarttimes saw the advent of the voting system with Germany and Switzerland up against each other. Although the result of the vote may have been considered a foregone conclusion, we were happy either way as it meant that smarttimes would not be coming to the UK.

However, smarttimes on the continent has always precluded those in the UK who are unable to get the time off work or don't want to go abroad or who simply cannot afford it. I've spoken to a few people would love to come to smarttimes but just cannot make it happen. By hosting smarttimes in the UK, they will now have an opportunity.

Having been to smarttimes in Riccione and Antwerp, I can honestly that they are a truly excellent few days. With smart GmbH managing the event, the whole thing has a different 'feel' to that of a UK organised event. Perhaps this was by virtue of being abroad? Maybe. However, what is obvious is that a considerable amount of investment is made to make the event a success.

I will agree that 'crossing the Channel' is awkward for those on the continent if the UK hosts smarttimes. It is far easier to simply drive continuously from one country to the next as is the case throughout the majority of Europe. But let's have the chance and you never know, it might just work! Brighton is a good compromise as it has the potential for being fairly dry / warm and not too far from Dover.

Portugal and Vienna are the other two options and both look like great places. Cascais in Portugal is 1370 miles from London and will also be difficult for a lot of mainland to get to. Vienna is 914 miles from London. Riccione is only an additional 100 miles from London than Vienna. As those who did the journey in 2011, this is a very very long way!

As someone pointed out (on Facebook I think), the UK can deliver good things when we put our mind to it. With smart HQ providing the investment and delivery, I think we stand a really good chance of hosting a great smarttimes.

I for one, will #VoteBrighton on the 24th August.

[kevskars]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

well said that man there are a lot of us in the uk that would like to go but for one reson or an other can not go oversea. i for one do not have a passport. and can not have one. ( nother story ). but would make the effort to make sure that i could go to brighton. so i am hoping they all come back and say its on and i will be going.

[madDan]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

Apparently Portugal won the vote!

[TomAsh]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

That'll be an exciting drive

[BlackDog]

That'll be an exciting drive

Or a flight as Portugal say that they will ship cars for us so we just have to fly there. Be interesting to see the details now that they have won.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

[Hadleigh Marky]

Well its academic now. Portugal won which will no doubt please some people here. I sure the majority though will be unhappy as Portugal is too far too go whereas Brighton would have had a massive attendance I am sure.

[Evilution]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

There are 3 options.

Drive the entire way - madness at 1400 miles.
Ferry to Santander and then drive - about 500 miles.
Let smart transport your car to the event and fly there.

As far as I can see, smart will be using the empty car transporters to bring all the cars from smart dealers back to Hambach and from there out to Cascais.
When it's over they will deliver them back to your smart dealer. I think it's a great idea that might work really well.

[OrangeDave]

Re: Why we shouldn't vote for Brighton for SmartTimes 14

We've taken the boat to Santander before, and driven in Spain a couple of years back. We had a great time. It would be a fantastic adventure! The idea of having transporters taking you car to the venue and flying there seems to be such a missed opportunity. It would be a great adventure.